Chapter 43
"Benjamin's unreliable, but you are?"
Evelyn stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Matthew: "I used to think you were a good brother, even someone worth trusting for life. But what's the truth?"
"We're not kids anymore. We all know what happened."
"If you can stop now, I'll let you off the hook."
"Otherwise, there's only one outcome between us."
With that, she turned and left.
Matthew, sitting in his wheelchair, watched her retreating figure, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
Evelyn, who used to always follow behind him, seemed to have truly grown up.
Not only that, but their relationship had become distant.
But...
Thinking of the deep blood feud between them, his eyes flashed with a dark, bloody gleam.
There really was only one outcome between them.
White Group branch office.
Evelyn sat in the car, her expression somewhat blank, various scenes flashing through her mind, along with words different people had said.
She felt a bit lost, unable to see the direction of her future.
Was it because she was reborn that so many things had changed?
In her previous life, there was no Freya, no Louis.
Now they were popping up one by one, disrupting his life and leaving her at a loss.
She sat dazed in the car for who knows how long when she suddenly heard a soft, sweet voice—
"Benjamin!"
Looking up, Evelyn saw Freya walking toward Benjamin.
But unlike yesterday's energetic Freya, she was now covered in injuries, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, looking pitifully heartbreaking.
"What happened?" Benjamin strode toward her, clear anger flashing in his eyes.
Freya seemed unable to hold back anymore, tears falling one by one, quite beautifully.
"I just left the dorm today when I ran into Louis. How was he released? Could it be..."
She seemed afraid of something, hesitating to continue.
After biting her lip, Freya continued: "Is Evelyn angry with me, so she deliberately let him out to get back at me? Benjamin, yesterday was an accident; it had nothing to do with me. Can you talk to Evelyn and ask her not to take revenge on me..."
The pitiful girl should have stirred up a man's protective instincts, but it only made Evelyn's chest churn with inexplicable emotions.
Using someone else as a weapon?
She never bothered with such tactics.
If she wanted to deal with someone, she'd wield the knife herself.
Benjamin's brow furrowed, a cold anger flashing across his handsome face.
Was it because Freya was hurt?
Or because he thought she had released Louis?
Evelyn lowered her head and opened her phone's timer, waiting for Benjamin's response.
But she waited a full three minutes, hearing Benjamin comfort Freya and promise to handle the matter, yet hearing no defense of her.
Her angry emotions curved up to her lips.
"Is Mr. White about to fly into a rage for a beauty?"
Evelyn pushed open the car door and got out, her beautiful face wearing a smile that carried a cold, striking flavor.
Freya looked startled to see her, pressing herself against Benjamin.
After steadying her, he said calmly: "You don't need to be afraid."
Then he strode toward Evelyn: "Why did you come here?"
"If I hadn't come, how would I have seen such a good show?"
She didn't have a habit of thinking the worst of people, but Freya's earlier insinuations made her feel that Freya's innocence was all an act.
Under Evelyn's scrutinizing gaze, Freya was clearly frightened, nervously clutching her clothes, her voice thin and trembling.
"Evelyn..."
"Is your memory bad? Then have Benjamin get you more brain supplements."
Evelyn's sudden comment caught Freya off guard.
Benjamin looked down at Evelyn before him, his deep ocean-like eyes impossible to read.
"Why would you say that?"
"Am I wrong?" Evelyn looked at her with feigned surprise. "I said yesterday that I don't know you. Why are you pretending we're so familiar?"
Freya's face went pale, tears falling even more heavily.
"I didn't mean to try to attach myself to you."
"Since you didn't, then call me Ms. Thomas. But..."
Evelyn paused, smiling maliciously: "You've attached yourself to Benjamin, so you really don't need to attach yourself to me."
Evelyn's affected manner, especially her ability to mimic Freya's sweet way of calling "Benjamin," made her seem difficult to get along with.
Combined with Freya's gentle appearance, the contrast made it easy for people to think she was bullying Freya.
"Ms. Thomas."
Freya seemed not to dare contradict her, looking somewhat wronged as she said through tears: "I know that because of me yesterday, you were wronged. But I'm also a victim? Besides, what good does releasing Louis do you? Aren't you afraid he'll hurt you again!"
Just now, she was suspecting Louis was released by Evelyn, and now she was directly accusing her?
"You said it yourself—releasing him would likely put me in danger. Do you think I'm stupid enough to deliberately put myself in harm's way?"
She intended to say she wouldn't do something so foolish.
But from Freya's mouth, it took on a different meaning.
"You..."
Freya stepped back, her face turning extremely pale, as if terrified.
"You did it on purpose? You arranged bodyguards to follow you, while an orphan like me naturally has no one to care..."
At this point, she seemed unable to continue, biting her lip, looking at them through tears.
Her whole body was even trembling.
Anyone seeing this scene would think Evelyn was a villain.
If the situation weren't so off, Evelyn would have asked whether Freya wanted to enter the entertainment industry—she'd surely have unlimited potential.
After all, Freya's acting was so good.
But Evelyn always liked to focus on the main point, ignoring side issues.
"Benjamin," she looked up at him, her eyes scrutinizing, "do you also think I did this?"
He raised his hand and gently touched her head: "Don't run around randomly these days. I'll arrange bodyguards to follow you."
What was this?
He'd decided she did it, but would protect her?
She liked unlimited favoritism, but more importantly, she needed trust!
With some anger, Evelyn tilted her head to avoid his hand: "Don't touch me!"
Her proud manner was just like a kitten.
Who knew when she'd show her claws?
The corners of Benjamin's lips curved in an extremely faint smile that others wouldn't notice: "I'll handle this matter properly."
He looked up, and Chase immediately stepped forward, somewhat nervous.
"Didn't I tell you to arrange people to protect Freya?"
"I did arrange it..." His voice was very low, his expression helpless.
Who knew such a slip-up would occur with something properly arranged?
"Your bonus for this month is deducted."
Chase wanted to argue, but Benjamin continued: "For the next few days, you follow Freya and ensure her safety. If Louis hurts her again, it won't be as simple as docking your pay."
Everyone in Emerald City knew Chase was Benjamin's man. Having him follow Freya?